Lawyer X Nicola Gobbo refusing police protection, evading royal commission
Nicola Gobbo is refusing police protection and evading attempts for her to settle on a date to appear before the Lawyer X Royal Commission, despite previously indicating a desire to give evidence.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Nicola Gobbo is refusing police protection and has become evasive about appearing before the Lawyer X Royal Commission.
The Herald Sun can reveal Gobbo was served with a notice to appear before the commission, which is examining Victoria Police’s management of her as a registered police informer, months ago.
But Gobbo, despite indicating to the commission a desire to give evidence, will not settle on a date.
The commission has been in ongoing negotiations with Gobbo and her lawyers about her giving testimony, resulting in frustration.
It is an offence not to comply with a notice to appear at the commission under the Inquiries Act, which carries a two-year jail term.
A person is compelled to comply with a notice unless they have a reasonable excuse.
The unfolding scenario will present a challenge to Victoria Police, which is obligated to protect Gobbo from dangers she faces, but may also be required to charge her with criminal offences.
In 2018, the High Court stated that Gobbo did not trust police and was refusing to accept their protection.
Before becoming a mother of two, Gobbo argued for police to provide her with a personalised protection program which fit with a lifestyle she was accustomed to.
Serious concerns have been raised about the safety of her children while she refuses protection.
Rated in the highest category of danger, Gobbo is also the most difficult informer Victoria Police has engaged, and her utilisation may result in charges against high-ranking police officers, including chief commissioners.
Misconduct in public office is a charge that could be considered.
In 2010, Gobbo delayed answering a subpoena citing medical grounds when she was being compelled to give evidence in the trial against alleged corrupt police officer Paul Dale and veteran criminal Rod Collins, over the murders of witness Terence Hodson and his wife, Christine.
In a scene reminiscent of fugitive businessman Christopher Skase, investigators who served the subpoena were confronted by Gobbo using a walking aid and oxygen mask.
Surveillance would, within days, photograph Gobbo walking without aids or an oxygen tank as she left her apartment.
The barrister was also withdrawn as a prosecution witness in a trial in which Mr Dale was accused of lying to the Australian Crime Commission.
If Gobbo does not comply with the notice to appear at the commission Gobbo will also avoid questioning over her suspected roll in the dissemination of sensitive information which may have led to the Hodson killings.
It comes as there is an increasing likelihood of Gobbo being charged with other crimes at the conclusion of the hearings over her conduct during three separate stints as a lawyer-turned-police informer, the most prolific period in which she was referred to by police as Human Source 3838.
Gobbo — also known as Lawyer X — has been accused of perverting the course of justice, burglary, perjury, handling proceeds of crime and fraud.
There are a series of appeals before the Supreme Court based on the Lawyer X scandal/principle.
MOKBEL’S BIZARRE BID TO END UNDERWORLD WAR
LAWYER X LINK TO INFAMOUS AUSKICK KILLINGS
Gangland drug lord Tony Mokbel and underling Zlate Cvetanovski have both launched appeals.
It comes as Rob Karam, part of the “Tomato Tins’’ syndicate which imported 15 million pills into Melbourne’s docks in 2007, is set to become the next major criminal to have his appeal come before a court.
If he is released, it will pave the way for other “Tomato Tin’’ syndicate members involved in the Calabrian mafia-led conspiracy to challenge their convictions.
Another key syndicate member, Saverio Zirilli, has launched an appeal.
Lawyers for syndicate head and mafia boss Pasquale ‘’Pat’’ Barbaro and John Higgs are preparing challenges to their convictions.
To date, Faruk Orman, convicted of murder, remains the only figure to have had his conviction overturned due to the police use of Gobbo to inform on her clients.